Amphitheater or stadium



Feb. 11.923. 1,444,360

A. B. RANDALL AMPHITHEATER 0R STADIUM FILED AUG. 17, 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEET I Feb. 6, 1923.

A. B. RANDALL AMPHlI THEATER OR STAD IUM 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 F1 LED AUG. 17 1 922 z wwww Patented Feb 5, 1923,

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ALEXANDER BURTO'N RANDALL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLV Y AMPHITHEATEB' 0R STIU'EI.

Application filed August 17, 1922. Serial No. 582,402.

will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to a novel form of amphitheater or stadium for the exhibition of athletic games, field sports, pageants, theatrical displays and the like, Ob ect to rovide a novel form of construction of edifice of the character indicated, which will provide seating areas for the audience in which the major portion, approximately eighty per cent, of the spectators will be disposed and located so as to be enabled to wow the field transversely, and the minor portion of the seats, approximately twenty per cent, only, will face substantiall up and down the field. The novel type 0 am phltheater or stadium also provides means for expeditiously disposing of large audi-. ences entering and leaving the building, and greatly facilitates the orderly seating of the spectators by providing large concourse halls within the building structure-connected with the sea-tin area by numerous entrances and aisles, and with the exterior of the building by entrances and exits opening either directly upon an,encirclingesplanade, or connected to the latter by means of spacious ramps or Stairways, capable of accommodating capacity audiences.

4 To these ends, the invention comprises a generally ring-shaped structure having an inclined deck included between the inner and outer walls, constituting the seating area, sloping toward the substantially ellipsoidal field, the deck aforesaid gradually increasing in elevation and width between the longitudinal and transverse axes ofthe field, so that the major portions of the inclined deck or seating area will be disposed along the length of the field and a relatively small pro' portion of the seating areawill be disposed at the ends of the field. I

and has for its either ellipsoidal or circular.

The invention is; illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l is a perspective view, more or less,

diagrammatic, of the amphitheater or stadlum; I I

Fig. 2 is a view looking down on the structure, one-half being shown in full plan and the other half in horizontal section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of F 1g. 2;

Fig. 4.is a longitudinal section on line 4, t

of Fig. 2.

In the construction of amphitheaters,

stadia and similar structures, involving the disposition of banked or inclined tiers of seats around a central field, which latter is usually ellipsoidal in form, it has been customary to erect the structure supporting the shape of the field, either completely surrounding the latter, or surrounding all but one end of the field, which latter is left open. According to the prevailing practice, which seating areas to conform generally to the has been in vogue since approximately the 7 5 beginning of the Christian era, the, building structure conformed generall-y'to the shape of the field, and included outer walls of substantially uniform height and inner walls,

marking the boundary of the field, also ofso substantially uniform but lesser height than the outer walls, with an inclined deck or seating area, disposed between the mner and outer walls. As a result of this more or less standard type of construction, practically one-half of the seats faced transversely of the centralfield, and the other half of the seats faced longitudinally of the -field, when the building was generally rm -shaped,

structure was made U-shaped or, on the socalled hairpin plan, with one end open the seating area represented by theomltte section of the structure was lost. In addien the tion to the unfavorable disposition of the at seating areas located opposite the ends of the field, the entire seating area of thestructure was necessarily limited by. the form of the building. In modern times, there has been evidenced a growing demand for stadia to ice accommodate very large audiences, which H has resulted in the erection'of larger struc tures, which, however, did not overcome the salient objections to the dispositions of a very large proportion of the audience, which was forced to view the field lengthwise, so that many of the elements of the exhibition or play were confused. In other words, the larger the structure and the greater the seat= ing area provided, the more numerous were the spectators who were obliged to occupy unfavorable seats facing in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the central field. Asa general rule, the modern sports and games, such as football, lacrosse, and field and track athletics, involve action of the participants which takes place generally lengthwise of the enclosed field, WlllC-h is almost universally ellipsoidal in form, so that a full and satisfactory observation of all of the elements of the play or contest can only be had when the observer has a clear View transversely of the field.

As indicated, the present invention pro vides a novel form of amphitheater or stadium, which may be constructed to accommodate very large audiences without unduly enlarging the dimensions of the structure, but which will enable the major portion of the audience, approximating eighty per cent thereof, to occupy favorable seats facing transversely of the field. A typical construction to effect these desirable objects is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as erected upon an area of hilly or rolling ground, which, under ordinary circumstances, would present serious difficulties in the disposition and arrangement of the approaches to the structure to ensure the expeditious, orderly and efficient handling of large audiences entering and leaving the building, but in the present-case, illustrates the adaptability of the invention to any desired locality, without unduly increasing the cost of construction, and without detriment to the comfort and convenience of the audience in entering and leaving the structure. Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the central field is longer than it is wide, to conform to the general requirements of an athletic field to accommodate football games, track and athletic meets and similar sports or games, and is completely surrounded and enclosed by the building structure, which latter comprises a central section 1 bounded on its inner periphery by a-' wall or parapet 3 of substantially uniform height, which surrounds and defines a central field, and bounded on its outer periphery by an encircling aisle 6, which is at a uniform elevation throughout its extent, the space between the inner wall 3and the elevated aisle 6 being occupied by a deck or covering 7 constituting part of the seating area, which rises uniformly from the lower level adjacent the inner wall 1 to the upper level of the aisle 6. It will be noted that this portion of the structure conforms substantially to the general plan and arrange= mentof amphitheaters or stadia, as here tofore designed, with the inclined deck or seating area extending upwardly and outwardly from the marginal edges of the cen= tral field to a uniform height at all points in its outer marginal limits, the general contour of the structure being that of a concave ellipsoidal bowl.

The central section 1-of the structure is surrounded by an outer section 2, the outer defining wall 4 of which gradually increases in height between the longitudinal and transverse axes of the enclosed field, said wall constituting the outer support for an inclined deck section 8 extending from the outer marginal limits of the section 1 toward the top of the outer wall 4, so that the said deck section 8 also gradually increases 'in elevation and width betweenthelongitudinal and transverse axes of the field. In the particular exemplification of the invention, the outer defining Wall of the stadium is substantially circular'in plan, but it will be understood that it is not limited to this particular geometricalform, but may be glven the form of any other desired regular closed curve. I

It will be seen, therefore, that the construction as'descrlbed involves an inner defining wall of substantially uniform height surrounding the central field, and an outer defining wall which gradually increases in height between the longitudinal and transverse axes of the field, the two walls defining the limits of the inclined deck or seating area, which also gradually increases in elevation and width in each quarter section of the structure between the longitudinal and transverse axes of the field, so that by far the larger proportion of the seating area will be disposed laterally of and, therefore, facing toward the longer or longitudinal dimension of the playing field.

Preferably, the building is surrounded by a wide walk or esplanade 14, which, gives entrance to and exit from portals in the surrounding Wall, which establish communication either directly, or by way of ramps or Stairways, with the relatively large concourses or halls 15 located under the deck portions 8 of the outer section 2 of the structure, the floor of the concourses or circulating areas 15 preferably being located on a levelwith the aisle 6 surrounding the inner section 1, so'that the larger proportions of the audience may make entrance and exit through the circulating areas at the common level represented by the aisle 6 between the inner and outer sections of the structure. It will be understood that each of the decks or seating areas will divided into sections by cross-aisles such j" as 10 in section 1,

portal in any event. It will be noted that and 11 insection 2. The aisles l0 connect with a common aisle 5, surrounding the playing field inside of the inner wall 3, and with the aisle 6 which separates sections 1 and 2. Portals 9 opening from the level of the concourse sections 15 give access immediately to aisle 6, so that an expeditious distribution of the audience may be made in any and all seating sections directly from the concourses. The aisles l1 connect with aisle 6 between the two sections and with an encircling aisle 6 located. at the upper marginal edge of the deck section 8 and within the outer wall 4. Under certain circumstances, it may be found expedient to permit portions of the audience to enter and leave the seating-areas by way of the central field, and passageways, ramps or stairways passing through the lower part of the structure. To permit this condition to maintain, the lower aisle or passageway 5 surrounding the field connects at various points with Stairways or short flights of steps formed in or adjacent the wall 3 and preferably opposite the lower ends of certain of the cross-aisles 10, which will permit members of the audience desiring to do so to pass directly onto the playing field and thence through lower passageways, such, for example, as 20, shown in Fig. 3, to the exit. Further reference to the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 shows an effective arrangement of ramps, such as 16, admitting the passage of the patrons directly from a main entrance to the concourse hall 15, whence they may pass directly to the particular seating section to which they are assigned, by selecting the proper portals 9.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be noted that entrance and exit may be efiected expeditiously and without dangerous congestion atpractically all points in the exterlor wall of the structure, and as the majority of the spectators necessarily pass through the con course sections 15, and thence through portals 9 to the aisle 6 separating the upper and lower sections, it will be obvious that the audience may be properly distributed "with a minimum expenditure of time, effort and service.

Preferably a large open portal is provided atone end of the structure, as indicated at .30, on a level with the esplanade 14 and the aisle 6. which not only adds to the general aesthetic effect of the structure and permits a general view of the entire interior of the amphitheater or stadium, to those entering by this portal, but also serves to relieve any tendency toward congestion which would be likely to occur at the main this spacious portal is provided at a sac rifice of only a relativelysihall portion of the seating area or deck sp ce at one of the narrow ends of the field, w ich, as indicated that, as a rule, the field is not large enough to accommodate a'straightaway track of over 100 yards, for races requiring a track of this particular character. In order, therefore, to extend the straightaway section of the track, provision may be made for removing a section of the structure at the' point marked X in Fig. 2. This may be effected by erecting that portion of the general structure in line with the track extension in so-called knock-down form, so

that said section may be entirely removed. leaving thetrack'extension open. This re movable section of the stand may be con structed of removable elements of metal or wood, capable of being readily removed and replaced.

It will be understood, of course, that the structure may be built of anysuitable materials, but is specially well adapted to the employment of the modern type of .reinforced concrete construction, or a combination of concrete and steel which will best serve the requirements as to strength, durability and aesthetic efiect. It will be particularly noted that such a construction involves many halls, rooms andcompartments within the body thereof, in addition to the relatively large concourses or assembly halls under the lateral sections'8 of the deck or seating area, which may be advantageously employed as club rooms, locker rooms, baths, storage. spaces and the like. It will also be obvious that many changes or variations may be made .in the structure 'asa whole without departing from the broad invention involved, namely, the construction and arrangement of the amphitheater or stadium so that the major portion of the seating area faces transversely of the central field.

What I claim is:

1. An amphitheater or stadium having an inclined seating area surrounding the central field, the outer peripheral boundary of said area increasing in elevation from the longitudinal to the transverse axis of the field, and said area. gradually increasing from a minimum width along the longitudinal axis of the field to a maximum width along the transverse axis of the field.

2. An amphitheater or stadium comprising a substantially" ring-shaped structure inner and outer walls thereof, said area having its minimum width aiid outer peripheral elevation on the longitudinal axis of the field and gradually increasing in width and elevation toward the transverse axis of the field.

3. An amphitheater or stadium comprising a substantially ring-shaped structure having an inner defining wall of, substantially uniform height, an outer defining wall that gradually increases in height from the longitudinal to thetransverse axis of the field, and an inclined deck connecting said walls near the tops thereof.

4 An amphitheater or stadium comprising a substantially ring-shaped structure having an inclined deck or seating area included between the inner and outer boundaries of said structure, said deck or seating area having its minimum width and outer peripheral. elevation on the longitudinal axis of the field'and gradually increasing in width and elevation toward the transverse axis of the field, gradually increasing in elevation and width between the longitudinal and transverse axes of the field.

5. An amphitheater or stadium compris ing a substantially ring-shaped structure having its inner defining wall substantially ellipsoidal and its outer defining wall substantially circular, and an inclined deck connecting the walls near the tops thereof, the

' having an inclined seating area betweii the outer wall gradually increasing in elevation from the longitudinal to the transverse axis of the structure. 7 6. An amphitheater or stadium comprislng' a substantially ring-shaped structure having an inner defining wall of substantially uniform height, an outer defining wall that gradually increases in height from the longitudinal to the transverse axis of the field, an inclined deck connecting said walls near the tops thereof, aisles extending around the deck at the bottom, top and intermediate sections, and cross-aisles connecting the curvilinear aisles. An amphitheater or stadium comprising a substantially ring-shaped structure having an inner defining wall of substantially uniform height, an outer defining wall that gradually increases in height from the longitudinal to the,transverse axis of the field, an inclined deck connecting said walls near the tops thereof, aisles extending around the deck at the bottom, top and intermediate sections, cross-aisles connecting the curvilinear aisles, concourse halls below the outer deck sections, and portals connect= ing said halls with the exterior of the structure aisle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALEXANDER BURTON RANDALL.

and with the intermediate curvilinear 

